Stop Press: May 2011 Booze ban introduced at city park
Released: Tuesday May 10, 2011
A ban on the drinking of booze in one of Wolverhampton's most popular parks has been introduced.
Wolverhampton City Council yesterday (Monday May 9, 2011) brought in a Designation Order outlaws the drinking of alcohol within Phoenix Park, Blakenhall, which was recently given a £1.7m makeover by All Saints and Blakenhall Community Development (ABCD) and the city council.
The order gives police the power to stop someone drinking alcohol in the designated area when it is believed it could lead to anti-social behaviour or disorder. Anyone who fails to comply with the request could be liable to prosecution.
The city council received a petition from local residents calling for a ban in 2010 and earlier this year held a four-week period of consultation with the public into the proposals.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: "Phoenix Park is a wonderful facility for all the community and the investment by the city council and ABCD has transformed the park and turned it into a venue which is popular with all ages.
“The introduction of the alcohol ban will help the police protect the park and its users from the sort of anti-social behaviour that is typically fuelled by drink."
Rob Willoughby, Wolverhampton City Council's Assistant Director for Leisure and Communities, added: “We have worked closely with partners including the police and ABCD on the introduction of this designation order which, I am sure, will be welcomed by Phoenix Park’s many users.”
The transformation of Phoenix Park led to a host of new features and improvements including the creation of a new main entrance and adventure play area for 10 to 16-year-olds, fitness equipment, pathways and toilet facilities and additional seating. The park received a sought-after Green Flag for the first time last year.
To see a picture of the community welcoming introduction of the alcohol ban at Phoenix Park, please visit. Home Page
Stop Press: August 2010 brings us closer to the installation of the Universal Super loo (USL) it is hoped that it will be commissioned and ready for opening in September.
Stop Press: July 2010 saw Phoenix Park awarded a much sought-after Green Flag.
It is among the growing ranks of green spaces in Wolverhampton which have received prestigious Green Flag awards and joins West Park, Bantock Park and St Peter's Gardens, which have been reaccredited.
Meanwhile, West Park and Bantock Park also retained the Green Heritage Sites titles which they received for the first time last year.
Green Flag awards are handed to parks and green spaces that have demonstrated they are among the finest in the country, impressing judges with excellent facilities including well-managed green space, signage and amenities.
Phoenix Park has undergone a major transformation which has seen a raft of new facilities being installed.
Among a host of new features and improvements carried out are the creation of a new main entrance, an adventure play area for 10 to 16-year-olds, new fitness equipment, pathways being built, enhanced signage and additional seating and bins installed.
The All Saints and Blakenhall Community Development (ABCD) has invested more than £1.6 million to revamp the park during the last few years.
Wolverhampton City Council has also worked with partners such as ABCD, the Friends of Phoenix Park, local residents and other stakeholders to put together a management plan to ensure the park is well run and maintained.
All this was crucial to secure the coveted Green Flag awards, which are run by the environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and BTCV.
Councillor Matthew Holdcroft, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, said: "We are very privileged to have parks of such high quality in Wolverhampton; attractions which provide so much joy to the residents of, and visitors to, our city.
"It is particularly pleasing that Phoenix Park has been recognised with a Green Flag. It has undergone a major makeover thanks to investment from the city council and ABCD and is the perfect example of the benefits that a well managed and well used green space can bring to the local community."
Anwen Muston, local resident and ABCD Board Member, said: "I am delighted with the Green Flag award.
"It is a tribute to all the hard work and positive partnership between the community, The Friends of Phoenix Park, other funders and supporters, of which there have been many, ABCD which made the major contribution, the city council and Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust.
"The park has been transformed with local people using it more than ever for activities such as walking-to-health, the fitness trail, children's play and not least somewhere pleasant to meet and enjoy for all the family."
Green Heritage Sites, run by the Civic Trust and sponsored by English Heritage, aim to promote the value of and the best practice in the care and upkeep of historic sites.
Steve Wright, Wolverhampton City Council's Head of Parks, added: "We work tremendously hard to make sure that our parks and green spaces are among the best in the country, and securing Green Flag status for four of them shows that we are achieving that aim."
Historical Information
Stop Press 2006 News the government office for the West Midlands have just approved 1.3M Pounds over the next three years to improve the community facilities on Phoenix Park, The Friends of Phoenix Park have been honored to represent the community in developing this initiative, working in partnership with Wolverhampton City Counicl (parks), New Deal for Communities for Wolverhampton (ABCD) and our chosen landscape architects and project developer "Plincke Landscapes"
Please Click Here to download the Plincke proposals